§ Mr. Bill Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out details of recruitment to the Armed Forces in the year ended 31 March and during the previous four years.
§ Mr. Pattie50,652 United Kingdom Service personnel were recruited in the year ended 31 March 1980. This compares with 46,906 in 1975–76, 40,244 in 1976–77, 38,237 in 1977–78 and 43,366 in 1978–79. With only one exception, last year's performance was the best for 17 years. Detailed information is contained in the quarterly Ministry of Defence press release on the manpower situation (TSM4) issued on 15 May; a copy is available in the Library of the House. Details of
38WFederal German air force, and the further development of the British Harrier.
§ Mr. PattieI have at present nothing to add to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) and Haltem-price (Mr. Wall) on 28 April and 13 May respectively.—[Vol. 983, c. 385.]
The decision on a replacement for the F-4F in the Federal German air force is, of course, a matter for the Government of the Federal German Republic.